They are great rifles and should have taken over the older SMLE and Mk IV type rifles.But tooling and timing constraints changed history for ever. At least we developed the M-1917 using the P14 platform and reaped the benefits of a great battle rifle.
Of the rifles I own I have not run into a P14 rifle that was not accurate. Head space problems are not a factor with any of my rifles and brass life is very good.
Good job on restoring the old war horse.

Tin Can Sailor
'Nam Vet
NRA Endowment Member
President New Mexico Military Surplus Rifle Pistol Shooters

Love to see these old rifles restored. I also restored an Eddystone 2 years ago with my gunsmith buddy's help. Unfortunately mine had about 3" of the muzzle whacked-I guess to remove those ugly sight guards.

My buddy fabricated a bored out "false muzzle" from a worn out m1917 barrel and threaded it to the p14 barrel so I could reattach a proper front sight and the length would be correct again. In effect it is a 3" counterbore.

To my amazement-even with worn rounded lands and the long counterbore-it shoots great.

Nice restoration. I have a 1916 Remington p14 drill rifle barreled action I am going to restore at some point, it's missing the rear sight, but is otherwise 100% numbers matching. I just have to track down a stock and the hardware, and I am thinking about getting one of the p14 criterion barrels for it.